Alan Alsop: 6/5, 6/3*.Attack or defend, Make which 5 pt? The first thought as always is to make home pts. But this would leave Blues three back men a trifle vulnerable. White has made the 9 pt and with builders on the 8 and 6 pts. A tempo move would certainly help to keep White of balance. So a hit combined with making a valuable pt is the move.
Chuck Bower: 6/5, 6/3*.
With such a race deficit and White's lack of anchor and two blots, makingthe 20-point looks way too conservative to me. Blue would like to hit andmake the 5-point -- two good things. Of the two plays which do both, one candidate is more flexible but breaks a valuable point (8-point). The otherlooks awkward, leaving no spares on the 6-point, but maintains three homeside points. Bill Robertie has pointed out that the bots are consistent in their opinions that when flexibility and points are in competition, points win.
Ilia Guzei: 6/5, 6/3*.
What else is there? The five point is forever, so 6/5 is clear. Now the usual bold play principles apply - my board is stronger and I have more checkers back - attacking with 6/3* is indicated.
Oystein Johansen: 6/5, 6/3*.
When I pick up my dice, there should be two points in my board, and a Whitechequer on the bar! Anything else is out of my list of candidates. Thisleaves only 8/7* 8/5 and 6/5 6/3*. Even though 6/5 6/3* give White 14return shots while 8/7* 8/5 gives even more. If I play 6/5 6/3* I thinkWhite must clean up on her defensive side of the board. She must anchorwith a 7 combination and play 18/13 with a none dancing five. (Except 52).This again will make time to for me to anchor at the other side of theboard or attack the wretch. I think this play makes me the favorite to turnthe first cube. 6/5 6/3* it is!
Neil Kazaross: 6/5, 6/3*.
We're behind in the race and with more men back and want to do something toattack with this roll. I simply think that 24-20 is too passive since we get hit again with 2's and 5's safe up for White and 4's make the bar anchor. I'd play 24-20 at GS, but here I look for more than an inferior holding game (noting his 9 point allready made)
8-5 8-7x can work but I prefer 6-5 6-3 x even though it strips our mid point. Every responding six except 63 and 61 is now awful for White and we retain 3 forward points rather than 2.
We also can play 6-5 24-21, but I fear that leaves White too many attacking jokers.
Thus, I'll strike first with 6-5 6-3x.
George Klitsas: 8/7*, 8/5.
For starters, Blue must make his five point, I think. After that, all moves that activate one of the stranglers, look to me better than bringing one down (13/10) or adding a builder (6/5). Still, Blue's timing is suspect (in a possible holding game he will be around 20 pips behind, maybe the worst range for such a game type) and I think that he must play boldly (8/7* 8/5) in order to gain or lose ground by force. In the first case, Blue will equalize the race and, in the second, he might be able to play a well timed back game or holding game [8/7* 8/5 fights better with more "re-hit" ammunition than another alternative, 6/5 6/3*, which is almost as good and would be for sure best, if Blue had another spare on the six point].
Laila Leonhardt: 6/5, 6/3*.
Blue wants to keep White from having full rolls to start building board andprime. Blue has more checkers back than White, and shouldn't be afraid toget more send back if that would keep White from building his prime.When your opponent is threatening to make points that will make him a largefavorite then usually it is a good idea to keep him busy by taking half aroll away (hitting him)Also look for the awkwardness you can cause.If White rolls a 5 or a 6 next time, most of these numbers wont play verywell for him and some outright awkward.
Snowie: 6/5, 6/3*.
Hitting and voering is clear Anything else is too passive. I'm not going to give up my eight point andleave a million return shots by playing 8/7*, 8/5. Therefore, 6/5, 6/3*it is.
Marty Storer: 6/5, 6/3*.
Blue must hit to forestall White's threats to attack, anchor orescape. 24/20 is out of the question; it ensures a high-anchorholding game, but little else. It's a desperation maneuver whenBlue isn't desperate. That leaves 8/5 8/7* and 6/5 6/3* toconsider. Often in similar situations, Blue would choose tobreak the outside point to leave fewer returns, or fewer doublehits. Here, breaking the 8 point leaves 6 more returns on Blue'sside, and saves only slightly on the double-hit count, giving 44instead of 33 and 31 (White plays bar/22*/18 with 43). 6/5 6/3*keeps the very valuable 8 point, cuts returns substantially, andgives White 4 very awkward 6's to enter. I think this choice ispretty clear.
Bob Stringer: 6/5, 6/3*.
Offense before defense, especially since White has no board. Thatmeans I'm making my 5 point before I make his. 24/20, leaving theblot on my 5 uncovered, would be pretty sick, anyway. White hasthe makings of a decent offense if he can get it going, and so Ilike hitting to keep him off balance. I'm behind in the race, sobeing hit back isn't that serious. So, 6/5 to make the 5, and 6/3*to keep the position moving along. If White doesn't get a goodroll, I might even hit that checker on the bar point as well.
Casper van der Tak: 8/7*, 8/5.
Hits and makes the 5 point. Sure, White can hit back with most numbers, but Blue has the better board, more checkers back, and is behind in the race so Blue does not lose too much by being hit back. And hitting prevents White from using his builders.
The alternative is 24/21 6/5 I think - making the 5 point and going for an advanced anchor. But that leaves White complete freedom next roll.
Kit Woolsey: 8/7*, 8/5.
Making the offensive five point is a must, and hitting something looksright. My choice gives up the eight point and leaves some combinationshots from the bar, but if White hits one of these shots it is far fromfatal. I make sure that two checkers are back, and don't give White anydouble-hitting numbers which aren't doubles.
Chris Yep: 24/21, 6/5.
Blue has a shortage of checkers up front, so it's essential to put them where they belong. If Blue doesn't make his 5 point now, he may not make it for a long time. Covering with a 1 or 3 looks essential. Hitting loose on the 3 pt. (6/3*) breaks White's connectivity, but strips Blue's 6 point. 6/3* also typically serves another purpose -- attacking, but since Blue has a shortage of checkers for his offense, attacking loses some of its appeal. I think Blue does better playing more positionally here. I prefer 24/21 6/5, maximizing Blue's chances to make an advanced anchor next turn. Blue should not be worried about a hitting contest here; with a stronger board and more men back, Blue stands to gain should an exchange of hits occur.
Summary: The panel went for the attack in the inner board, even thoughthis meant stripping the six point and leaving the direct shot. This showsa lot of respect for the value of the eight point.
